98030: Salaat al-tawbah (the prayer of repentance)

How is salaah al-tawbah (the prayer of repentance) offered? How many rak’ahs is it? Can I offer it after ‘Asr prayer?.

Praise be to Allaah.

By the mercy of Allaah towards this ummah, He has opened the
gate of repentance to it, and it will not cease until the soul reaches the
throat (at death) or the sun rises from the west.

By His Mercy to this ummah, He has prescribed for them an act
of worship which is one of the best acts of worship, by means of which the
sinner can draw close to his Lord with the hope of his repentance being
accepted. This is salaat al-tawbah (the prayer of repentance) and there
follow some issues that have to do with this prayer.

1 – The prayer of repentance is prescribed in sharee’ah

The scholars are unanimously agreed that the prayer of
repentance is prescribed in sharee’ah. Abu Dawood (1521) narrated that Abu
Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “There is no
one who commits a sin then purifies himself well and stands and prays two
rak’ahs, then asks Allaah for forgiveness, but Allaah will forgive him. Then
he recited this verse: ‘And those who, when they have committed Faahishah
(illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember
Allaah and ask forgiveness for their sins; — and none can forgive sins but
Allaah — and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know’
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:135].” Classed as sahaah by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi
Dawood.

Ahmad (26998) narrated that Abu’l-Darda’ (may Allaah be
pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “The one who does wudoo’ and does it
well, then stands and prays two rak’ahs or four (one of the narrators was
uncertain), in which he remembers Allaah and focuses well, then asks Allaah
for forgiveness, He will forgive him.” The editor of al-Musnad said:
its isnaad is hasan. It was also quoted by al-Albaani in Silsilat
al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah (3398).

2 – The reason for the prayer of repentance

The reason for the prayer of repentance is if a Muslim falls
into sin, whether it is a major or minor sin, he has to repent from it
straight away and it is recommended for him to pray these two rak’ahs. And
when he repents he should do a righteous deed which is one of the best of
deeds, namely prayer. So he may draw close to Allaah by means of this in the
hope that He may accept his repentance and forgive his sin.

3 – The time for the prayer of repentance

It is mustahabb to offer this prayer when the Muslim has
decided to repent from the sin that he has committed, whether this
repentance comes immediately after committing the sin or later on. The
sinner must hasten to repent but if he delays it, it will still be accepted,
because repentance is accepted so long as one of the following impediments
does not occur:

(i)
When the soul reaches the
throat (at death). The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah will accept the repentance of His slave so
long as the death rattle has not yet begun.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani
in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi (3537).

(ii)
When the sun rises from the
west. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allaah will accept his
repentance.” Narrated by Muslim (2703).

This prayer is prescribed at all times including times when
prayer is disallowed (such as after ‘Asr prayer), because it is one of the
prayers that are done for a reason, so it is prescribed when the reason for
it is present.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: Prayers which are done for
a reason, such as the prostration of recitation, greeting the mosque, the
eclipse prayer, prayer immediately after purifying oneself, as mentioned in
the hadeeth of Bilaal, and istikhaarah prayer should not be delayed if the
reason comes up at a time when prayer is disallowed, because delaying them
may cause one to miss them, such as if the one who is praying istikhaarah
may miss the thing concerning which he is seeking guidance if he delays the
prayer. The same applies to the prayer of repentance. If a person commits a
sin, then it is obligatory to repent straight away, and it is recommended
for him to pray two rak’ahs, then repent, as it says in the hadeeth of Abu
Bakr al-Siddeeq. End quote from Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (23/215).

4 –Description of the prayer of repentance

The prayer of repentance is two rak’ahs, as it says in the
hadeeth of Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with him).

It is prescribed for the one who is repenting to pray alone,
because it is one of the naafil prayers that it is not prescribed to offer
in congregation. After that it is prescribed to ask Allaah for forgiveness,
because of the hadeeth of Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him).

There is no report from the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) to say that it is mustahabb to recite any particular
soorahs in these two rak’ahs, so the worshipper may recite whatever he
wants.

It is mustahabb for the penitent to strive hard in doing
righteous deeds as well as offering this prayer, because Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):

“And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents,
believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does
righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them (till his
death)”

[Ta-Ha 20:82]

Among the best of righteous deeds that the penitent can do is
giving charity, for charity is one of the greatest means of expiating sin.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“If you disclose your Sadaqaat (almsgiving), it is well;
but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you.
(Allaah) will expiate you some of your sins”

[al-Baqarah 2:271]

It is proven that Ka’b ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with
him) said, when Allaah accepted his repentance: O Messenger of Allaah, as
part of my repentance I shall give up my wealth as charity for Allaah and
His Messenger. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said: “Keep some of your wealth, for it is better for you.” He
said: Then I shall keep my share in Khaybar. Agreed upon.

To sum up:

1-
This prayer is proven from the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

2-
It is prescribed when the
Muslim repents from any sin, whether it is a major sin or a minor sin, and
whether this repentance comes immediately after committing the sin or after
some time has passed.

3-
This prayer may be offered at
any time, including times when prayer is disallowed.

4-
It is mustahabb for the
penitent to do some good deeds along with this prayer, such as charity etc.

May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad
and upon all his family and companions.